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WNBA: Diana Taurasi tests positive for modafinil, according to the Turkish basketball federation

December 24, 2010 | 8:47
am

WNBA star Diana Taurasi tested positive for banned substance modafinil while playing in a pro league in Turkey, the Turkish basketball federation said Friday.

Modafinil is used to counter excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder or sleep apnea, according to the website for the prescription drug Provigil, which contains the substance.

Modafinil has been involved in several doping-related controversies. U.S. sprinter Kelli White, who won the 100- and 200-meter races at the 2003 world championships in Paris, had both of her medals stripped after testing positive for the substance.

Taurasi has been provisionally suspended pending the results for her "B" sample in the first week for January. Neither her lawyer, Howard Jacobs, nor her club team, Fenerbahce, have confirmed that she tested positive for the stimulant.